INTERNATIONAL AVIATION NEWS » EXTRA

Boeing X-51A WaveRider Breaks Record in 1st Flight

Marcel van Leeuwen — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:01:21 +0000

May 26, 2010 — In its first flight attempt, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] X-51A WaveRider today successfully completed the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight in history — nearly three and a half minutes at a top speed of Mach 5.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was released from a U.S. Air Force B-52H bomber off the southern California coast around 10 a.m. today. It flew autonomously for more than 200 seconds, powered by its Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) motor, as it transmitted telemetry data to ground stations. Something then occurred that caused the vehicle to lose acceleration. At that point, the X-51A was terminated as planned.

“The technology proven today is something The Boeing Company has worked on for the past seven years,” said Alex Lopez, vice president of Advanced Network & Space Systems, a division of Boeing Phantom Works. “It is thrilling to be a part of history and advance hypersonic science to the next level. Boeing is looking forward to transitioning the technology to operation in the near term, but for now, we are exhilarated.”

Even before analyzing the terabytes of telemetry data transmitted by the X-51A during flight, Air Force officials called the test an unqualified success.

“We are ecstatic to have accomplished many of the X-51A test points during its first hypersonic mission,” said Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. “This gives us huge confidence. We built four test vehicles to get a successful flight, and we hit many of our goals right out of the gate, the first time around.”

The X-51A was carried aloft under the left wing of an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52H Stratofortress that took off from Edwards Air Force Base. It was released while flying at approximately 50,000 feet over the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range. Four seconds later, a solid rocket booster from a U.S. Army tactical missile accelerated the X-51A to about Mach 4.5 before it and a connecting interstage were jettisoned. The X-51A’s engine ignited on a mix of ethylene and JP-7 jet fuel. After a short period, the X-51A ran exclusively on JP-7 jet fuel. The flight reached an altitude of about 70,000 feet and an approximate speed of Mach 5.

Onboard sensors transmitted data to both an airborne U.S. Navy P-3 Orion and to ground systems at Point Mugu, Edwards, and Vandenberg Air Force Base before the X-51A was terminated. The team will review the data from today’s test before scheduling additional flights with the three remaining test vehicles.

“This is a new world record and sets the foundation for several hypersonic applications, including access to space, reconnaissance, strike, global reach and commercial transportation,” said Joe Vogel, Boeing director of Hypersonics and X-51A program manager.

Boeing Phantom Works, a division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, performed the overall air vehicle design, assembly and testing for the X-51A’s various components. The X-51A program is a collaborative effort of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, with industry partners Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.

The vehicle’s fuel-cooled engine design serves both to heat the JP-7 to an optimum combustion temperature and to help the engine itself endure extremely high operating temperatures during the long burn.

Program officials noted that while development of the vehicle’s engine and the test program are complex, controlling costs has been a key objective. The team has adapted existing proven technologies and elected not to build recovery systems into the flight test vehicles.

Source and pictures: Boeing

Boeing-built Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B Begins 1st Flight

Rob Vogelaar — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:56:55 +0000

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., April 22, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful launch of the Boeing-built Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), also known as the X-37B, for the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The OTV was launched on an Atlas V rocket into a low Earth orbit today at 7:52 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41.

“The X-37B has the potential to bring to space the flexibility that unmanned systems provide warfighters and combatant commanders today,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “With the ability to be launched into space and then land on its own, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is an example of the kind of innovation that Boeing has been doing for decades to advance aviation, space systems, and now unmanned systems. Close teamwork between the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the United Launch Alliance Atlas team, and the 45th Space Wing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station made this launch a success.”

The vehicle will be used to demonstrate a reliable, reusable unmanned space test platform for the Air Force. Program objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

“The Orbital Test Vehicle combines the best of aircraft and spacecraft to enable flexible and responsive missions,” said Paul Rusnock, Boeing vice president of Experimental Systems and program director for the X-37B. “This first flight will demonstrate the readiness of the X-37B to begin serving the Air Force as it continues to investigate ways to make space access more routine, affordable and responsive.”

Boeing’s commitment to this space-based unmanned vehicle spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab’s X-40 program, NASA’s X-37 program, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s X-37 approach, landing and test vehicle (ALTV) program.

Boeing program management, engineering, test and mission support functions for the OTV program are conducted at Boeing sites in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and El Segundo, Calif.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

Souce and pictures: Boeing

Boeing F-15K41 Successfully Completes 1st Flight

Marcel van Leeuwen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:37:45 +0000

ST. LOUIS, April 22, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] on April 19 conducted the first flight of F-15K41, the first of 21 F-15K Slam Eagles the company is producing under the Next Fighter II contract for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The aircraft, flown by Boeing test pilot Steve Schmidt, took off from Lambert St. Louis International Airport at 2:36 p.m. Central time and landed at 3:44 p.m.

The F-15K is an advanced variant of the combat-proven F-15E. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is extremely capable, survivable and maintainable. The F-15K enables the ROKAF to change its focus from the short-range defense of the past half century to a broader regional view that considers the omnidirectional threats it may face in the future. The aircraft’s service life is planned through 2040, with technology insertions and upgrades throughout its life cycle.

Boeing completed delivery of the 40 Next Fighter I F-15K aircraft in October 2008.

Source: Boeing

Rolls-Royce completes first propeller and gas turbine for Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier programme

Marcel van Leeuwen — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:47:40 +0000

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has completed two significant milestones for the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, with completion of the first propeller and the successful testing of the vessels’ first MT30 gas turbine.

The propeller, measuring almost seven metres in diameter and weighing 33 tonnes, has completed acceptance tests at the Rolls-Royce facility in Kristinehamn, Sweden.

The Kamewa Adjustable Bolted Propeller is manufactured from nickel aluminium bronze and features five blades mounted on a central hub – there will be two on each of the aircraft carriers.

Rolls-Royce is also supplying shaft lines which will link each of the vessels’ two propellers with the power source. Each propeller will deliver around 50,000 horse-power – the highest power Kamewa propeller ever developed by Rolls-Royce.

The first of four MT30s for the two 65,000 tonne vessels also passed a programme of stringent tests and certification at the Rolls-Royce Marine test facility, in Bristol, where the gas turbine was operated across a range of load conditions up to the maximum power output of 36MW.

Rolls-Royce is part of a ‘sub-alliance’ team comprising Thales, Converteam and L-3 and has overall responsibility for delivery of the entire power and propulsion system.

Richard Dingley, Rolls-Royce Director Programmes – Naval said: “The delivery of these two major components is a significant achievement for everyone involved in the QE Class programme. The gas turbines will, through an innovative electrical system, provide the power needed to turn the propellers and drive these huge vessels through the water at speeds of up to 25 knots.

“We are extremely proud to be involved in the development of these vessels, working alongside our many partners in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance to supply mission-critical technology and systems.”

Tony Graham, head of Capital Ships at the Ministry of Defence, visited the Bristol test facility and gas turbine build line recently to see progress on the project. He said: “The heart of the ship is now beating. These engines will breathe life into the steel hull and are another demonstration of the progress being made.”

Matt Pollitt, Rolls-Royce Test Integration and Support Manager and his team carried out the MT30 test. He said: “The gas turbine performed as expected during the tests, which simulated what you would see from the bridge of the ship in a range of different sea conditions.

“We put the engine through rigorous tests including what happens when the ship rapidly demands either large amounts of power or large reductions in power due to propulsion motor trips. The engine coped well with such extreme load characteristics and I’m pleased to say it passed its Lloyd’s certification too.”

The MT30 is the most powerful available gas turbine in the marine market today and on the carriers will form part of an integrated electric propulsion system which includes the giant propellers and propeller shafts as well as rudders, thrust bearings and low-voltage electrical systems.

Source: Rolls Royce

Solar plane first flight

Rob Vogelaar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:54:42 +0000

Plane powered by sunshine completes its first test flight from Payerne Air Base Switzerland on April 7 2010.

The carbon fibre Solar Impulse, with a wingspan similar to that of a super-jumbo has four electric motors powered by 12,000 solar cells built into wings.

Round-the-world balloonist Bertrand Piccard is leading the project and intends to pilot the plane along with co-founder Andre Borschberg.

The flight team have been conducting flea-hop tests since December, taking the plane no higher than 60cm (2ft) in altitude and 300m in distance
Today the Solar Impulse cruised a mile high for 87 minutes, reaching a top speed of 28mph.

“This first flight was for me a very intense moment!” exclaimed Solar Impulse test pilot Markus Scherdel, still under the emotion of the event, on stepping down from the aircraft. “The HB-SIA behaved just as the flight simulator told us! Despite its immense size and feather weight, the aircraft’s controllability matches our expectations!”

A night flight is planned later this year, and then a new plane will be built intended to be flown around the world in 2012 using not an ounce of fuel and kept in the air for up to five days at a time.

Source and picture: Solar Impulse

Branson spacecraft VSS Enterprise completes test flight

Rob Vogelaar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:21:26 +0000

Virgin Galactic announced today (22-03-2010) that VSS Enterprise has completed her inaugural captive carry flight from Mojave Air and Spaceport.

This very first captive carry was a huge success and both the mothership and spaceship looked absolutely stunning against the blue back drop of the Mojave skies.

Commenting on the historic flight, Burt Rutan said: “This is a momentous day for the Scaled and Virgin Teams. The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program.”

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic added: “Seeing the finished spaceship in December was a major day for us but watching VSS Enterprise fly for the first time really brings home what beautiful, ground-breaking vehicles Burt and his team have developed for us. It comes as no surprise that the flight went so well; the Scaled team is uniquely qualified to bring this important and incredible dream to reality. Today was another major step along that road and a testament to US engineering and innovation.”

The VSS Enterprise test flight programme will continue though 2010 and 2011, progressing from captive carry to independent glide and then powered flight, prior to the start of commercial operations.

Source and picture: Virgin Galactic

Aviationnews.eu website certified as EcoFriendly

Marcel van Leeuwen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:55:02 +0000

Thanks to our hostingcompany, we can proudly say that Aviationnews.eu has gone EcoFriendly.

All power needed for hosting our site comes from renewable energy sources.

USAF National Museum of the Air Force remembers ‘Aztec Eagles’

Rob Vogelaar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:38:57 +0000

3/3/2010 - DAYTON, Ohio (AFNS) – National Museum of the Air Force officials revealed a new exhibit Feb. 26 here dedicated to Mexican airmen who fought alongside U.S. forces in World War II.

Members of the Mexican air force Escuadron 201, commonly referred to as the Aztec Eagles, are featured in the exhibit. “The Mexican Air Force,” is part of the growing display of the “Airmen in a World at War” exhibit.

Mexican officials declared war against Japan, Germany and Italy May 28, 1942, and Mexican servicemembers fought alongside the U.S. forces in the South Pacific during World War II. Manuel Avila Camacho, the President of Mexico during World War II, accepted a U.S. invitation to provide Mexican air force units in the war against Japan after breaking off diplomatic relations with those countries shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Terry Aitken, the senior curator of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, noted that these treatise included agreements for the unlimited reciprocal use of airfields and facilities as well as the establishment by the U.S. Army Air Forces of a number of bases in Mexico to train personnel.

In the summer of 1945, airmen from the Mexican air force flew combat missions along with their American allies. Mexico’s Escuadron 201, equipped with Republic P-47D Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, distinguished themselves in providing close-air-support to American ground units as well as long-range bombing strikes deep into Japanese held territory.

“The outstanding work made my those men (Escuadron 201) demonstrated that good things can only be achieved with leadership, teamwork and sacrifice, fighting side-by-side and shoulder-to-shoulder,” said Lt. Col. Jose Nunez, Mexico’s Foreign Liaison Officer from the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, during the exhibit opening ceremony.

This unit of 33 pilots and more than 270 support personnel, along with a Mexican expeditionary air force (Fuerza Aérea Expedicionaria Mexicana) headquarters, moved to the Philippine Islands in February 1945. In March of 1945, Escuadron 201 members were attached to the U.S. 5th Air Force and the 58th Fighter Group which was based at Porac, Luzon in the Philippine Islands. The 58th Fighter Group merged the Escuadron 201 into combat operations and provided support to the new unit during its first combat missions.

In early July 1945, 58th Fighter Group members deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and Escuadron 201 members assumed responsibility for air operations in their area. The airmen provided close-in-ground support to the advancing U.S. 25th “Tropic Lightning” Division and Philippine Army units on Luzon, and seven-hour long-range fighter strikes on strategic Japanese targets on the island of Taiwan.

Retired Lt. Col. Justino Reyes Retana, one of only three remaining Aztec Eagles from World War II, was unable to make the trip to the exhibit opening ceremony, however, his son, Lorenzo Reyes Retana, relayed a message on his behalf.

“I was honored to be recognized by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force for the work which the Aztec Eagles did, and this space will serve as a reminder of our efforts and job we did for generations to come,” he said.

During its operational history, Escuadron 201 airmen flew 795 combat sorties, accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of combat flying and lost seven pilots. The Escuadron 201 remains the only military unit in the history of Mexico to engage in combat outside of its national borders.

Source: USAF
(U.S. Air Force photo)

Loss of a British Icon

Marcel van Leeuwen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:41:35 +0000

Your Help Needed to Prevent the Loss of another British Icon.

The last flying example of one of Britain’s most iconic historic aircraft, Avro Vulcan XH558 only has weeks to live and Nuneaton Based Air Cadets are urging air enthusiasts and members of the public to pledge their support in a bid to help to keep her flying.

The Leicestershire based Vulcan to the Sky Trust who operate the Vulcan XH558 have until the end of February to prove that they can raise the funds needed to carry out the engineering work needed to keep her Alive.

Flt Lt Paul Hincks of 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron said, “Generations of young people have been inspired by the sight of the Vulcan’s unique delta wing shape and sound of its four mighty Olympus engines. As a young apprentice I have fond memories of working on Vulcans at Bitteswell and I think we need to do everything we can to keep XH558 in the air for future generations. Last year our Cadets had the chance to see XH558 in action as she did a low fly past during the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing field day at Gamecock Barracks Bramcote near Nuneaton. Hopefully with the support of the public Vulcan XH558 will continue honouring the past and inspiring future generations of air minded young people.

2010 is XH558’s 50^th Birthday but she and we, may not be able to celebrate it if the trust runs out of money by the end of February so Vulcan to the Sky Trust is asking people to take part in a world record Birthday card signing.

Mindful not to solicit donations at this time whilst they are uncertain about XH558′s future, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust have launched the XH558 Survival Appeal Pledge Scheme and are hoping that they can raise £650,000 in new pledges by the end of February to reach their target.

If you would like to sign XH558’s Birthday card and pledge your support and help to keep her flying, please visit the Survival Appeal website at http://www.vulcantothesky.org/

If you would like to know more about the Vulcan to the Sky Trust please visit their web-site at http//www.vulcantothesky.org/

Editor: Flt Lt Paul Hincks RAF

Swedish pilot prevents drama

Marcel van Leeuwen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:26:41 +0000

A Swedish pilot of a small airplane faced a dramatic turn of a simple parachuting flight in Portugal on Sunday.

Mikael Anderson took off with three passengers from an airfield near Evora, east of Lisbon.

Two of the passengers were skydivers, suddenly the third passengers held a gun to the head of Mikael and demanded the pilot and the skydivers to leave the airplane. Mikael took the plane up to the correct jumping altitude so that the skydivers could jump the airplane. Mikael refused to jump.

The Hijacker took control of the aircraft, but Mikael Anderson managed to keep the airplane in the air with the controls of the co-pilot and got the plane to make an emergency landing in Tires just outside Lisbon.

“The small aircraft practicly crashed but we survived” said Anderson. The Hijacker committed suicide shortly after the crash landing with the gun.

News Source: Nu.nl

Eurocopter celebrates maiden flight of CH-53GA right on schedule

Marcel van Leeuwen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:18:31 +0000

Donauwörth, February 10,
The CH-53GA medium-lift military transport helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight over the Bavarian town of Donauwörth today before an admiring crowd of approximately 150 guests. Eurocopter test pilot Rene Nater and flight engineer Antoine Van Gent were at the controls. This first flight came just three years after the contract was awarded, and represents a major milestone for the CH-53GA program, as well as for Eurocopter Germany’s support centre for the German Army helicopters. Thanks to the new upgrades, the helicopter’s service life has been extended to 2030. Training flights are slated for early 2011, with the first deliveries of the retrofitted helicopters later in the same year. The German Armed Forces will then be able to deploy the CH-53GA with its state-of-the-art equipment for international missions (e.g. Afghanistan).

As Senior Vice-President Ralf Barnscheidt, responsible for German military contracts at Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH, points out: “Over the past 30 years, the Eurocopter support centre for German Army helicopters has completed many important upgrades on the CH-53G transport helicopter, working in cooperation with the Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (Federal Agency for Defense Technology and Procurement). I am extremely pleased to see the CH53-GA flying today, as it further demonstrates the successful cooperation we enjoy with the German Armed Forces that has enabled us to complete the program on time and within budget.”

Functional Requirements – Optimized Implementation
The CH-53G is being retrofitted so that the helicopter can be deployed in a wide range of national and international missions. The following major functional requirements for the CH-53GA have been defined and embodied:

• Improved display and flight control systems via state-of-the-art digital avionics
• Advanced accurate navigation system and improved flight capabilities in line with international IFR flight regulations
• Integration of a new automatic flight control systemAFCS/4-axis-autopilot) with automatic hovering
• Installation of auxiliary fuel tanks in the cabin to increase the range to 1,200 km
• Upgrade of communication equipment for joint missions with Tiger and NH90 helicopters
• Integration of a modular mission equipment package including FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared), satellite communication system (SatCom) and a cutting-edge electronic warfare system (EWS) for self-defense and identification of threats

Production work on the CH-53GA is scheduled to start at the Donauwörth plant in 2011 and continue through 2013. The first helicopters will be made available to the German Army before the end of 2011.

The CH-53G in Action – Domestic and International Missions
The CH-53G has been in service for over 35 years, and in the years to come it will continue to form the backbone of the German Army’s deployments in foreign missions. The helicopter is used to harsh conditions. Since entering service it has been the cornerstone of the German Army’s versatile troop and equipment transport units as part of the country’s NATO obligations, and has also been an important platform for operations in foreign missions in cooperation with other NATO forces. The helicopter has served in conflicts from Kosovo to Kabul since the early 1990s. In addition, it has been deployed in numerous missions to provide aid during national and international catastrophes such as forest fires and floods. The CH53GA will meet the German Army’s need to expand the mission capabilities of its medium-lift transport helicopters for domestic missions and deployment abroad.

Working Closely with the German Army
Eurocopter’s support center for German Army helicopters at Donauwörth is under contract to retrofit a total of 40 medium-lift CH-53G transport helicopters to CH-53GA configuration. The work includes the repair of airframe fatigue due to extensive use and ageing in order to extend the helicopters’ design life from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours. The entire electrical system, which is nearly 35 years old, will also be replaced. The entire support center for German Army helicopters is involved in the development work on the CH-53GA. The center has experienced substantial growth over the last twenty years; the work force of 69 employees in 1991 has increased to 530 employees today, and still shows an upward trend.

Source: Eurocopter

Boeings new 747-8 flies for the first time

Marcel van Leeuwen — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:39:18 +0000

Boeing’s new 747-8 started it’s test flights February 8 2010 form Everett. And Touches Down Safely After 3-Hour, 39-Minute Mission

The Boeing (NYSE: BA) 747-8 Freighter successfully took to the sky for the first time today before more than 5,000 employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders. The flight begins a test program for the world’s most efficient freighter.

With 747 Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein and Capt. Tom Imrich in the flight deck, the newest member of the 747 family took off at 12:39 p.m. local time from Paine Field in Everett and landed at Paine Field at 4:18 p.m.

“It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible,” said Feuerstein. “The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400.”

Today’s flight was the first of more than 1,600 flight hours in the test program for the newest member of the Boeing freighter family. The airplane followed a route over Western Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling qualities and engine performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet (5,181 m) and a speed of up to 230 knots, or about 264 miles (426 km) per hour.

Powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 Freighter will transition its testing program to Moses Lake, Wash., and Palmdale, Calif., where the other two test airplanes will join it in the coming month.

“This truly is a great day for The Boeing Company and the 747 program,” said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program general manager and vice president, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It’s the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our employees, suppliers and customers. While there is still much to do, I am excited to begin the flight-test program, which will demonstrate the capabilities of this airplane.”

The 747-8 Freighter is the new, high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter. The airplane is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared with its predecessor. That translates to an additional four main-deck pallets and three lower-hold pallets.

“The 747-8 Freighter continues the leadership of the 747 Freighter families, which carries more than half of the world’s air freight, making it the standard of the air cargo industry,” Yahyavi said.

Boeing launched the airplane on Nov. 14, 2005, with firm orders for 18 747-8 Freighters: 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan. All told, Boeing has secured 108 orders for the 747-8, of which 76 are orders for the new freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air all have ordered the 747-8 Freighter.

The 747-800 is the largest civilian Boeing ever to fly, it looks like a normal 747 but the plane has enormous changes which makes it larger, faster, more economical, Eco-friendlier, and capable of carrying more cargo.